I had to deal with my Annoying Coworker who had the same attitude as yours when I was going for surgery on my shoulder last summer. She actually asked if I was positive I needed three weeks off. She's not my boss or our HR person, she was just annoyed that I was getting a lot of attention and well wishes.

My response to her was "I will be doing exactly what my doctors recommend."

It's not so bad. The next date available was way into September. And since I've been hurting still, my doc is going with the July date. And she's also got me into another Hospital, for a referral, because they have far better equipment, and would be better able to operate on someone of my Size.

She said that if I was accepted, I might be having a panniculectomy as well as the cyst removal. I'm losing the right ovary completely, no saving it. They won't really know if they have to do a complete hysterectomy until they're in there, so to speak. (meaning there's another cyst on the other ovary! and if that one is too bad, then they'll have to take everything.

I appreciate the abdominal surgery tips! I've never had ANYTHING done down there, so I know that trying to make sure I don't hurt myself after the surgery is going to be the thing that's going to stress me out the most.

The pain has been far worse the past few days, but nothing that would indicate it bursting or anything. I think that if that does happen before the surgery, I'll be on the floor, screaming.

My coverage needs to be extended again, but my insurance company is telling me that "people go back to work while waiting for surgery" Um, I can't. I can't do a single thing in my work. PLus, the pain was the reason I went off, and it's not gone away. I can't lift, bend or walk fast. Nothing in my job description is doable. I've told her this, and I've asked my doc to send a letter again. I asked her 3 times to write me one while I was seeing her, and she didn't. I don't know why. This time, I had to cal her and ask again.

I second the pillow, it was my best friend after my hysterectomy. I found a small "airline size" pillow and carried it everywhere. It was very useful to press it against my incision if I had to cough or sneeze, and I would put it between me and the seatbelt when I was driven to the store.

I third the small pillow being held against the stomach. My 17 yr old DD gave me her mini monkey pillow pet and it was a life saver! Also, really try not to bend and twist, if possible. And listen to the dr. for after care directions.

One trick my MIL told me after my c-section was to slowly walk upstairs sideways while holding on to the banister. It doesn't work your abdominal muscles as much as facing forwards & by golly it worked!

I know we're not supposed to give medical advice on this site, however, I have to say as a post operative nurse for many years, all the incision advice is excellent.

The other day I was taking care of a woman who had a long abdominal incision and she started to cough. I automatically grabbed the pillow and pressed it over the incision while she was trying to get me to stop. I held it there and said, "Ok, now cough." She did and looked up in amazement. For the rest of the shift every time I walked past her room she was sitting there with the pillow across her abdomen.

Good luck with your surgery and try and get your MD to see that because of the pain this is not really elective and see if they can schedule it sooner.

One tip if your insurance is requiring a letter: do a memo to your doctor, give it to her in writing so she can dictate it and get it done. Be specific with address, what activities you cannot do or are prohibited to do, and reason why surgery will be at that date at that hospital.